Chic $12.5M Santa Monica home dubbed the 'White Lotus Sanctuary' has a fascinating link to Hollywood icon

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

A Santa Monica mansion once rumored to have been used by Charlie Chaplin and later transformed into an artistic haven by a legendary painter has hit the market for a whopping $12.5million.
The spectacular home is built almost entirely of organic materials including limestone and teak wood throughout and boasts 500-year-old monastery doors and hand-carved Indonesian stone baths.
There are two main bedroom suites plus three additional bedroom suites. The master suite boasts an impressive closet.
The living room, dining room and open kitchen-family room form a courtyard that creates a resort-like interior-exterior space that looks out on to an inviting swimming pool.
It's now being listed by Compass agent Frank Langen who calls it a ' White Lotus ' sanctuary.
'The impressive innocuous wall enclosing the compound gives only a slight hint of the Pura, 'White Lotus' vibe behind it,' the listing writes.
'When entering through the repurposed 500-year-old monastery gates one is immediately immersed into the harmony of the environment,' it adds.
Part of the lot was formerly a two-story fire station. The legendary British comedian, producer, writer, director and composer Charlie Chaplin once used it to store his prized collection of fire trucks.
But the home's most remarkable chapter began when world-renowned abstract expressionist painter Sam Francis took over the property, transforming it into his permanent creative sanctuary and studio.
Francis turned the space into a bustling hub for the LA art scene, with an open-door policy that welcomed notable artists like Ed Ruscha, Ed Moses, Larry Bell and Ken Price.
'The two story fire station was Sam's painting studio,' Langen told DailyMail.com. 'There are images online with him and his art in that space.'
The property became synonymous with California's artistic renaissance, hosting countless creative minds who shaped modern American art.
However tragedy struck in 2007 when a devastating fire destroyed much of Francis' original 1920s home.
But a new owner stepped in and enlisted renowned Malibu architect Christopher Sorensen to create something even more spectacular.
He created a gorgeous fusion of sustainable luxury and artistic heritage that took five years to complete.
The rebuilt mansion follows LEED certification guidelines while incorporating materials that span centuries and continents.
The environment mixes calm sophistication by blending classical and traditional styles while including modern amenities. A closet is seen above
The home's most show-stopping feature is its swimming pool - which doesn't just sit beside the kitchen but actually flows directly through it.
It's finished with bulletproof glass that allows underwater views while preparing meals.
The property has a three-car garage and sits on a rare double street-to-street lot which offers an extra layer of privacy.
The environment mixes calm sophistication by blending classical and traditional styles while including modern amenities.
'The whole style was changed to a South East Asian vibe from a more traditional style,' said Langen.
The overall aesthetic combines 'pleasing Balinese influences with thoughtful, precise functionality', the listing states.